As Li Xuan and Jian Tianrui arrived side by side, Wu Pengfei repelled Yue Mingchi with a palm strike, his expression exceedingly grim. He had clearly sensed the demise of Gongsun Li, Lai Xuewen, and Lai Congwu.
"Wu Pengfei, this battle is no longer necessary," Yue Mingchi said with a slight smile as he spoke slowly.
Yue Mingchi was naturally elated. He had expected defeating the Holy Sect to be extremely difficult, but he never anticipated Li Xuan would kill Gongsun Li first, and then, along with Jian Tianrui, kill Lai Xuewen and Lai Congwu. This was a tremendous gain for the Profound Sect.
After all, cultivating a Holy Son required significant resources. The Holy Sect had now lost three Holy Sons consecutively, a substantial blow. He imagined this news would surely send shockwaves across the Sacred Origin Continent.
"A bunch of useless idiots!" Wu Pengfei retracted his gaze, his face dark with displeasure.
Xia Ruman and the others also gathered behind Wu Pengfei, clearly having learned of the deaths of Gongsun Li, Lai Xuewen, and Lai Congwu.
"Wu Pengfei, you now have only nine people remaining. Even if you continue fighting, your Holy Sect likely won't gain any advantage. Will you fight or retreat? What do you intend to do?" Yue Mingchi glanced at Li Xuan and the others behind him, then shifted his gaze back to Wu Pengfei.
"Senior Brother..." Xia Ruman looked at Wu Pengfei with a solemn expression. Before she could finish speaking, Wu Pengfei waved his hand to stop her.
Wu Pengfei then looked coldly at Yue Mingchi and said, "Although we have only nine people, it doesn't mean your Profound Sect can definitely defeat us. Whether this battle is won or lost is not for your Profound Sect to decide!"
"So, you choose to continue the fight? However, I suggest you focus on争夺 the two palaces below. At least your Holy Sect still has nine people. If a few more fall, I doubt your Holy Sect will have any claim to this Level Eight Ruin."
Yue Mingchi's expression remained unchanged, and he continued to look at Wu Pengfei with a smile.
Wu Pengfei fell silent. The current situation indeed no longer favored the Holy Sect.
Even though he was the top-ranked individual on the Holy Son Rankings.
If he were to stubbornly engage in a fight to the death with the Profound Sect, the ultimate outcome would only be the loss of a few from the Profound Sect, while the Holy Sect's losses would be unprecedentedly heavy.
By then, let alone the upper palace, they would likely not even be able to claim any of the palaces or courtyards within this Level Eight Ruin.
"Go!"
After analyzing the pros and cons, Wu Pengfei did not dally. With a wave of his hand to Xia Ruman and the others, he immediately shot towards the right palace below.
His actions clearly indicated his intention to seize ownership of the right palace from the Myriad Flower Palace and the Soul Sect.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan, well done!" As Wu Pengfei and his nine companions flew towards the right palace, Fu Yaojin said to Li Xuan with a smile.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan has made a great contribution this time. If it weren't for Junior Brother Li Xuan being the first to deal with Gongsun Li, it would have been difficult for me to suppress Lai Xuewen and Lai Congwu. Both of them have improved their spiritual power significantly compared to the previous battle; it's likely due to Wu Pengfei's methods," Jian Tianrui added as he stepped forward.
Yue Mingchi and the others nodded in agreement.
They had initially thought it would be a struggle for Li Xuan to merely hold off Gongsun Li, but they never expected him to kill Gongsun Li, thereby enabling Jian Tianrui to eliminate Lai Xuewen and Lai Congwu. This ensured a complete victory for the Profound Sect's team!
"Alright, I will report this achievement to the Peak Masters and the Sect Master upon our return to the sect. Rewards will be distributed accordingly, and Junior Brother Li Xuan will not be overlooked. For now, let us first explore the upper palace and collect the spirit core crystals and treasures from this Level Eight Ruin." Yue Mingchi raised his hand to stop the ongoing discussion after everyone had offered their praise.
"Yes!" Everyone nodded in response. Their gazes then turned towards the upper palace below. With Yue Mingchi leading the way, everyone followed him into the upper palace.
"Everyone search independently. Alert us immediately if there is any disturbance!" Yue Mingchi instructed Li Xuan and the others after pushing open the palace doors.
Although the Holy Sect had retreated, they still had to guard against their return.
Secondly, treasures within the Level Eight Ruin were not easily obtained. Maintaining vigilance was only natural.
Zhou Wenlun and the others nodded, then moved instantly, scattering towards the surroundings of the palace. In a moment, only Li Xuan and Yue Mingchi remained.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan, you should also go search. Aside from spirit core crystals, if you have the fortune to obtain other treasures, consider it your own opportunity," Yue Mingchi said to Li Xuan with a smile.
Yue Mingchi knew that without Li Xuan's sudden emergence, the Profound Sect would likely not have been able to contend with Wu Pengfei and his group from the Holy Sect for the upper palace, let alone secure ownership. Therefore, allowing Li Xuan to search was a form of reciprocation.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Li Xuan nodded. His earlier hesitation was because he was not a Holy Son himself.
Moreover, he had not joined the Profound Sect for very long, and venturing out alone might invite criticism. Since Yue Mingchi had now given his permission, Li Xuan would not refuse.
After all, this was a Level Eight Ruin.
"Go ahead." Yue Mingchi nodded and waved his hand with a smile. Li Xuan moved and shot towards a side hall on the right. In just two breaths, he disappeared from sight.
"Who exactly is this Junior Brother Li Xuan? Such strength, at such an age, truly rivals the Holy Sons of the Sacred Origin Continent. Even I, if I hadn't cultivated for longer, might not be able to match Junior Brother Li Xuan," Yue Mingchi mused to himself as he watched Li Xuan depart.
After a brief pause, Yue Mingchi also moved, instantly vanishing from his spot.
Outside the Level Eight Ruin, the teams from various factions gazed towards the barrier entrance. As time passed and occasional tremors emanated from within, they knew a great battle had erupted. However, no one could predict the outcome.
Especially when the members of each faction saw Lai Congwu and Lai Xuewen of the Holy Sect, and Jian Tianrui of the Profound Sect, enter the ruin only after a considerable time had passed since the other Holy Sons entered, it became even harder to ascertain the battle's conclusion.
Looking at the barrier entrance, Xi Chuyun's eyes flickered with worry as he murmured, "I hope my brother Li is alright. But with his wisdom and strength, he should be out of any danger."
Although those above the Dao Integration realm could enter, Shi Hongyi and others had to obey Yue Mingchi's arrangement and remain outside.
After all, the teams outside also required leaders. The Holy Sect's team did as well. If they were to attack the Profound Sect's team while Yue Mingchi and the others were inside the Level Eight Ruin, the absence of Dao Integration realm experts would undoubtedly create a void in the Profound Sect's future.
Fortunately, the Holy Sect seemed to have no intention of attacking, and for the time being, the various teams waited in a tacit understanding.